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Kensington Legion redevelopment gets unanimous support from council

Author of the article:

Trevor Howell • Calgary Herald

Publishing date:

February 9, 2016 • 2 minute read

Kensington Royal Canadian Legion president Bill Cox, left, and vice-president Al Seddon are all smiles leaving Calgary City Council Monday February 8, 2016 after council unanimously approved the redevelopment of the Kensington Road site.Ted Rhodes/ Calgary Herald

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Despite concerns from some residents, council unanimously approved redevelopment of the Kensington Legion through a deal that could save the struggling branch and provide a new model for “asset rich, cash flow poor” legions across Canada.

For six hours, council listened to supporters of the plan, including several veterans, as well as dozens of West Hillhurst residents who opposed the project over concerns about the height of one of the buildings, increased traffic to the site, and too much density in the inner-city neighbourhood.

Kensington Legion redevelopment gets unanimous support from councilBack to video

The Truman redevelopment on Kensington Road and 18th Street N.W. would include a four-storey office building on the existing parking lot and a separate eight-storey condominium with retail outlets. The legion would own the smaller building and could lease out commercial space above a new branch facility.

“This isn’t just straight development,” said Ward 7 Coun. Druh Farrell. “There is this major social benefit to a group of Canadians who we treasure and we want to let them know that we treasure them.

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“It’s essential that legions continue to be healthy and continue to thrive into the future,” said Farrell.

The Royal Canadian Legion branch 264, built in 1956, has struggled to redevelop the site since its members voted in 2012 to swap their prime inner-city land for a new home.

The Legion has entered partnerships with three different developers over that period as it searched for a way to ensure its survivability as revenue and membership declines.

“Legions across the country are in fact asset rich, cash flow poor,” said Mark Barham, trustee for the Kensington Legion, following the vote. “This shows there’s a pattern of opportunity to go ahead and redevelop legions all across the country.”

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Barham said construction of the smaller four-storey building could start this spring, with the new legion opening as early as this Christmas.

Without council’s approval, the branch would have closed its doors, its 1,800 members forced to other legions and the property sold off, said Barham.

Concerned Hillhurst resident Martin Andersen was one of those speaking out at Calgary city council Monday, Feb. 8 regarding the proposed development on the Kensington Legion site. (Ted Rhodes/Postmedia)

The mixed-use development received high praise from members of the city’s planning commission, which approved the plan in December despite some opposition from residents.

Many asked council Monday to limit the height of the condominium building to six-storeys and to address concerns about pedestrian safety.

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“Our view is that 31 metres is far too tall in context with the existing build of the neighbourhood,” said Gary Reynolds, with the West Hillhurst Community Association.

Councillors asked the developer and administration to look at ways to address traffic impacts on adjacent streets and improve pedestrian crossings on Kensington Road — a concession that did little to soothing opponents’ concerns.

“Making some, potentially, minor adjustments around the edges won’t have that much of an impact on the concerns we tabled,” said Reynolds.

He said the benefits to the broader community are debatable and that Monday’s approval sets a precedent for further high-density redevelopment along Kensington Road.

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